Dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same

ABSTRACT

A dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to dental apparatus and procedures ingeneral, and more particularly to dental implant systems and methods foreffecting dental restorations using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In many individuals, disease and/or injury may result in the lossof one or more natural teeth. As a result, various techniques have beendeveloped to replace such lost natural teeth with prosthetic appliances.

[0003] For example, where sufficient natural teeth remain adjacent tothe location where a prosthetic tooth is to be positioned, a bridge maybe fabricated.

[0004] Alternatively, if insufficient natural teeth remain to supportand stabilize a bridge, a denture may be fabricated, with the dentureseating against the patient's gingiva.

[0005] In still other situations, a dental implant may be used. Withsuch a dental implant, a hole is generally first made in the upper orlower jaw bone, as appropriate, and then the distal end of the implantis fixed in the recipient bone, e.g., by screwing the implant into thebone. The dental implant is generally sized and positioned so that theproximal end of the implant protrudes at least partially into the spacewhere the prosthetic tooth is to be positioned. Then the prosthetictooth is fixed to the proximal end of the implant, such that theprosthetic tooth generally occupies the space of the lost tooth.

[0006] While such dental implants can be effective, they also tend tosuffer from a number of problems. Among other things, with currentdental implants, the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic tooth mustgenerally follow the longitudinal axis of the implant which is seated inthe bone. Unfortunately, the optimal axial alignment for the implantseated in the bone may not necessarily be the same as the optimal axialalignment for the prosthetic tooth extending into the mouth. Inparticular, it has been found that the optimal axial alignment for theimplant tends to be dictated by the specific anatomy of the patient'srecipient jaw bone, while the optimal axial alignment of the prosthetictooth tends to be dictated by the geometry of the patient's bite, lipsupport, phonetics and aesthetics. Thus, with current dental implants,the dental practitioner typically faces a choice of optimizing theorientation of the restoration for either (1) the implant seated in thebone, or (2) the prosthetic tooth extending into the mouth, or (3) somecompromise in between. In any case, the result is generally a compromiseof some sort.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide anovel dental implant which avoids the problems associated with the priorart.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod for effecting a dental restoration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] These and other objects are addressed by the present invention,which comprises a novel dental implant system and a novel method foreffecting a dental restoration using the same.

[0010] In one preferred form of the invention, the dental implant systemcomprises an implant fixture adapted to be deployed in a bone; animpression coping adapted to be selectively deployed on the implantfixture and in a dental impression; a laboratory analog adapted to beselectively deployed on the impression coping and in a dental cast; aspherical abutment adapted to be selectively deployed on the laboratoryanalog; and a multiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed onthe spherical abutment.

[0011] And in one preferred form of the invention, the method foreffecting a dental restoration comprises:

[0012] providing a dental implant system comprising:

[0013] an implant fixture adapted to be deployed in a bone;

[0014] an impression coping adapted to be selectively deployed on theimplant fixture and in a dental impression;

[0015] a laboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed on theimpression coping and in a dental cast;

[0016] a spherical abutment adapted to be selectively deployed on thelaboratory analog; and

[0017] a multiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed on thespherical abutment;

[0018] positioning the implant fixture in the bone;

[0019] positioning the impression coping on the implant fixture;

[0020] making a dental impression of the impression coping and thesurrounding portions of the patient's mouth;

[0021] removing the dental impression, with the impression copingattached thereto, from the patient's mouth;

[0022] positioning the laboratory analog on the impression coping;

[0023] making a cast of the laboratory analog and a portion of theimpression coping;

[0024] removing the dental impression from the impression coping;

[0025] removing the impression coping from the laboratory analog;

[0026] positioning the spherical abutment on the laboratory analog;

[0027] positioning the multiaxis abutment on the spherical abutment andangling the multiaxis abutment atop the spherical abutment to the extentrequired for the dental restoration;

[0028] securing the multiaxis abutment in its angled position atop thespherical abutment;

[0029] generating a permanent abutment from the combined sphericalabutment/multiaxis abutment, preferably through a so-called “lostwax/plastic technique” well known in the dental arts;

[0030] positioning the permanent abutment on the laboratory analog;

[0031] generating a prosthetic tooth for the permanent abutment; and

[0032] removing the permanent abutment from the laboratory analog andpositioning the permanent abutment on the implant fixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other objects and features of the present inventionwill be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention,which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawingswherein:

[0034]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing thedental implant system's implant fixture mounted in a jaw bone, and withthe dental implant system's cover screw mounted in the implant fixture;

[0035]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing thedental implant system's impression coping mounting on the implantfixture;

[0036]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing theimpression coping in a dental impression, and with the dental implantsystem's laboratory analog mounted on the impression coping;

[0037]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing thelaboratory analog incorporated in a dental cast, and with the dentalimplant system's spherical abutment mounted on the laboratory analog,and with the dental implant system's multiaxis abutment mounted on thespherical abutment;

[0038]FIG. 5 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing thelaboratory analog incorporated in the dental cast, and with the dentalimplant system's permanent abutment mounted on the laboratory analog;

[0039]FIG. 6 is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing theimplant fixture mounted in a jaw bone, the permanent abutment mounted onthe implant fixture, and a prosthetic tooth mounted on the permanentabutment;

[0040] FIGS. 7-11 show further details regarding the construction of theimplant fixture;

[0041]FIGS. 12 and 13 show further details regarding the construction ofthe cover screw;

[0042] FIGS. 14-16 show further details regarding the construction ofthe impression coping;

[0043] FIGS. 17-20 show further details regarding the construction ofthe laboratory analog;

[0044] FIGS. 21-23 show further details regarding the construction ofthe spherical abutment;

[0045] FIGS. 24-26 show further details regarding the construction ofthe multiaxis abutment;

[0046] FIGS. 27-46 show a preferred method for effecting a dentalrestoration using the dental implant system of the present invention;

[0047]FIGS. 47 and 48 show an abutment blank which may be machined downso as to form the permanent abutment shown in FIG. 5;

[0048]FIG. 49 shows one way of machining down the abutment blank ofFIGS. 47 and 48 so as to form the permanent abutment shown in FIG. 5;and

[0049]FIG. 50 shows another way of machining down the abutment blank ofFIGS. 47 and 48 so as to form the permanent abutment shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] The present invention generally comprises a dental implant systemand a method for effecting a dental restoration using the same.

[0051] The dental implant system generally comprises an implant fixture100 adapted to be deployed in a bone B (FIG. 1); a cover screw 200adapted to be selectively deployed in implant fixture 100 (FIG. 1); animpression coping 300 adapted to be selectively deployed on implantfixture 100 (FIG. 2) and in a dental impression I (FIG. 3); a laboratoryanalog 400 adapted to be selectively deployed on impression coping 300(FIG. 3) and in a dental cast C (FIG. 4); a spherical abutment 500adapted to be selectively deployed on laboratory analog 400 (FIG. 4);and a multiaxis abutment 600 adapted to be adjustably deployed onspherical abutment 500 (FIG. 4). In accordance with the presentinvention, spherical abutment 500 and multiaxis abutment 600 may be usedto generate a permanent abutment 700 which may be received by laboratoryanalog 400 (FIG. 5) and implant fixture 100 (FIG. 6). Permanent abutment700 is adapted to receive a prosthetic tooth CR (FIG. 6), as willhereinafter be discussed in further detail.

[0052] Looking next at FIGS. 7-11, implant fixture 100 comprises a body105 having a distal end 110 and a proximal end 115. A screw thread 120extends from distal end 110 toward proximal end 115, but preferablyterminates short of the proximal end surface 121 of proximal end 115. Atleast one cutting flute 125 is formed at the distal end of body 105. Inthe preferred embodiment, four such cutting flutes 125 are provided(FIG. 10). A multi-stage bore 130 extends distally from the proximal endsurface 121 of body 105. Multi-stage bore 130 comprises a distalmostportion 135, a threaded portion 140, a tapered portion 150, and aproximalmost portion 155. Tapered portion 150 is tapered so as to form aso-called “Morse'a taper”. The proximalmost portion 155 of bore 130 hasan asymmetrical cross-section. In the preferred form of the invention,the proximalmost portion 155 of bore 130 has a generally asymmetricaltriangular cross-section (FIG. 11). More particularly, and referring nowto FIG. 11, in the preferred form of the invention the proximalmostportion 155 of bore 130 is formed so that angle X=angle Y≠angle Z. Thethree corners of triangular proximalmost portion 155 are preferablyrounded so as to preserve as much material (and hence strength) aspossible for body 105. This construction feature is important, inasmucha body 105 may have a maximum outside diameter of less than 3 mm, i.e.,in one preferred form of the invention, body 105 has a maximum outsidediameter of only about 2.5 mm. This is approximately 30% smaller thanthe smallest existing dental implants.

[0053] Looking next at FIGS. 12 and 13, cover screw 200 comprises ashaft 205 and a head 210. Shaft 205 comprises a threaded distal portion215, a first cylindrical portion 220, and a second cylindrical portion225. Second cylindrical portion 225 is sized so that it may be turninglyreceived in the implant fixture's proximalmost portion 155. Head 210comprises an enlarged flange, and includes a hexagonal bore 230extending distally into cover screw 200. Hexagonal bore 230 is adaptedto receive an appropriately configured driver (not shown), by whichcover screw 200 may be turned.

[0054] Looking next at FIGS. 14-16, impression coping 300 comprises ashaft 305, an asymmetrical portion 310 and a head 315. Asymmetricalportion 310 has a cross-sectional configuration which matches thecross-sectional configuration of the implant fixture's proximalmostportion 155, i.e., in the preferred form of the invention asymmetricalportion 310 has a generally triangular cross-section characterized bythe aforementioned angles X, Y and Z. Head 315 also, preferably, has anasymmetrical shape characterized by a surface 320 and an end rim 321, inorder to facilitate securing the impression coping in a dentalimpression I (FIG. 3), as will hereinafter be discussed in furtherdetail.

[0055] Looking next at FIGS. 17-20, laboratory analog 400 comprises abody 405 having a first end 410 and a second end 415. A multistage bore420 extends from the body's second end 415 towards the body's first end410. Multistage bore 420 comprises a deepest portion 425, a threadedportion 430, an elongated portion 435, and a shallowest portion 440. Theshallowest portion 440 of bore 420 has an asymmetrical cross-section(FIG. 19) which matches the cross-sectional configuration of theimpression coping's asymmetrical portion 310, i.e., in the preferredform of the invention, shallowest portion 440 has a generally triangularcross-section characterized by the aforementioned angles X, Y and Z.Preferably, the exterior surface of laboratory analog 400 is grooved ornotched as shown at 445 (FIG. 18) in order to facilitate securing thelaboratory analog in a dental cast C (FIGS. 4 and 5), as willhereinafter be discussed in further detail.

[0056] Looking next at FIGS. 21-23, spherical abutment 500 generallycomprises a shaft 505 and a head 510. Head 510 in turn generallycomprises a distalmost section 515 having an asymmetrical cross-section(FIG. 23) which matches the cross-sectional configurations of thelaboratory analog's shallowest portion 440 and the implant fixture'sproximalmost portion 155, i.e., in the preferred embodiment, distalmostsection 515 has a generally triangular cross-section characterized bythe aforementioned angles X, Y and Z. The spherical abutment's head 510also comprises an outwardly-tapering section 520, and a hex-shaped ball525.

[0057] Looking next at FIGS. 24-26, multiaxis abutment 600 comprises abody 605 having a distal end 610 and a proximal end 615. A hex-shapedball recess 620 opens on distal end 610. Hex-shaped ball recess 620corresponds to the shape of the spherical abutment's hex-shaped ball525, in order that ball 525 may be received in recess 620. Thedistalmost portion of recess 620 is characterized by a hex-shaped rim621. It should be appreciated that the diameter across opposing faces ofhex-shaped rim 621 is less than the maximum diameter acrosscorresponding surfaces of hex-shaped ball 525; as a result of thisconstruction, rim 621 must expand slightly in order for recess 620 toreceive ball 525, but rim 621 will thereafter keep the ball 525 securedin recess 620. A central passageway 625 opens on proximal end 615 andextends through body 605 so as to join hex-shaped ball recess 620. Adiametrically-extending groove 630 extends across the distal end 610 ofbody 605. Groove 630 permits the distal end of body 605 (i.e., rim 621)to elastically expand to the extent necessary for ball 525 to snap intorecess 620.

[0058] In one preferred form of the invention, the dental implant systemis used as follows.

[0059] First, the patient's gingiva G is surgically opened (FIG. 27) andthe underlying bone B exposed. Then implant fixture 100 is positioned inbone B. Preferably this is done by first drilling a hole into bone B andthen screwing implant fixture 100 into the hole, with the implantfixture's cutting flutes 125 further opening the bone and with screwthreads 120 securely engaging the bone. In accordance with the presentinvention, implant fixture 100 is positioned in bone B so as tosubstantially optimize seating of implant fixture 100 in bone B, andsubstantially without concern for the optimal axial alignment of theprosthetic tooth which will ultimately extend into the patient's mouth.

[0060] Then cover screw 200 is screwed into implant fixture 100 so as toclose off the open proximal end of the implant fixture (FIGS. 27 and28). As this occurs, the cover screw's distal threads 215 will engagethe implant fixture's screw threads 140, and the cover screw'scylindrical portion 225 is received in the implant fixture's boreportion 155. The cover screw's hexagonal bore 230 may be used to turnthe cover screw down into the implant fixture.

[0061] Next, the gingiva G is sutured closed over the assembled implantfixture 100 and cover screw 200 (FIG. 28).

[0062] The apparatus is then preferably left in this position untilosseo-integration has been effected between implant fixture 100 and boneB.

[0063] Next, implant fixture 100 and cover screw 200 are exposed, andcover screw 200 is removed (FIG. 29).

[0064] Then, impression coping 300 is mounted in implant fixture 100(FIG. 30). It should be appreciated that, as this occurs, the triangularcross-section of the implant fixture's bore portion 155, and thetriangular cross-section of the impression coping's triangular portion310, will mate with one another so as to fix the orientation ofimpression coping 300 relative to implant fixture 100.

[0065] Next, a dental impression I is made of the patient's mouth, usingconventional dental impression apparatus (FIG. 31).

[0066] Then dental impression I, with impression coping 300 attachedthereto, is removed from the patient's mouth. In this respect it will beappreciated that the particular surface profile (e.g., surface 320 andrim 321) of impression coping 300 will help retain the impression coping300 in dental impression I.

[0067] Next, dental impression I, with impression coping 300 attachedthereto, is inverted, and laboratory analog 400 is fit over the exposedportion of impression coping 300 (FIG. 32). It should be appreciatedthat, as this occurs, the triangular cross-section of the impressioncoping's asymmetrical portion 310, and the triangular cross-section ofthe laboratory analog's bore portion 440, will mate with one another soas to fix the orientation of laboratory analog 400 relative toimpression coping 300. In particular, it will be appreciated thatimpression coping 300 and laboratory analog 400 will have the sameorientation relative to one another at this stage in the process thatimpression copying 300 and implant fixture 100 had at an earlier (see,for example, FIG. 30) stage of the process.

[0068] Then a dental cast C is poured (FIG. 33).

[0069] Next, dental cast C and dental impression I are inverted, anddental impression I is removed, leaving laboratory analog 400 embeddedin dental cast C, and impression coping 300 protruding out of dentalcast C (FIG. 34).

[0070] Then impression coping 300 is removed (FIG. 35).

[0071] At this point, a laboratory duplicate (i.e., dental cast C andlaboratory analog 400) has effectively been created of the patient'smouth (i.e., bone B, gingiva G and implant fixture 100).

[0072] Next, spherical abutment 500 is placed in laboratory analog 400(FIG. 36). It should be appreciated that, as this occurs, the triangularcross-section of the spherical abutment's asymmetrical section 515, andthe triangular cross-section of the laboratory analog's bore portion440, will mate with one another so as to fix the orientation ofspherical abutment 500 relative to laboratory analog 400.

[0073] Then multiaxis abutment 600 is mounted on spherical abutment 500(FIG. 37). This is done by snapping the bottom end of the multiaxisabutment onto the top end of the spherical abutment, i.e., by forcingthe rim 621 of the multiaxis abutment over the spherical abutment'shex-shaped ball 525 so that the hex-shaped ball is seated in themultiaxis abutment's hex-shaped ball recess 620. It should beappreciated that, as this occurs, the multiaxis abutment'sdiametrically-extending groove 630 will permit the distal end of themultiaxis abutment to initially elastically expand to the extentrequired for mounting to occur; however, the distal end of multiaxisabutment 600 will then return to its original dimensions so as tothereafter movably capture the multiaxis abutment to the proximal end ofspherical abutment 500. In particular, the mating hexagonal shapes ofthe spherical abutment's hex-shaped ball 525 and the multiaxisabutment's hex-shaped ball recess 620 will permit the multiaxis abutment600 to pivot about the longitudinal axis 530 (FIG. 38) of sphericalabutment 500, but will prevent the multiaxis abutment from rotatingabout its own longitudinal axis.

[0074] Next, multiaxis abutment 600 is angled atop spherical abutment500 (FIG. 38) to the extent required for the dental restoration. Inparticular, multiaxis abutment 600 is angled atop spherical abutment 500so that the longitudinal axis of the multiaxis abutment is aligned withthe optimal axial alignment for the prosthetic tooth which willultimately extend into the patient's mouth.

[0075] Next, multiaxis abutment 600 is fixed in place atop sphericalabutment 500 (FIG. 39). This may be done by flowing adhesive down themultiaxis abutment's central passageway 625 so that the adhesive fillsthe space between the spherical abutment's hex-shaped ball 525 and themultiaxis abutment's hex-shaped ball recess 620. This adhesive alsoseals the multiaxis abutment's central passageway 625. In addition,additional material M (FIG. 39) may be used to fill the gap between thetop of spherical abutment 500 and the bottom of multiaxis abutment 600,as well as the multiaxis abutment's diametrically-extending groove 630.Material M may comprise one or more wax or plastic materials of the sortwell known in the dental arts.

[0076] The combined spherical abutment 500/multiaxis abutment 600,having been fixed in position relative to one another, are then removedfrom dental cast C and fabricated in permanent form (e.g., out of metal)so as to form a corresponding permanent abutment 700 (FIG. 40). By wayof example but not limitation, the combined spherical abutment500/multiaxis abutment 600 can be cast, using a so-called “lostwax/plastic technique” well known in the dental arts, so as to form thecorresponding permanent abutment 700. Permanent abutment 700 willinclude, among other things, a triangular portion 715 (corresponding tothe triangular cross-section of the spherical abutment's triangularportion 515) and a shaft 705 (corresponding to the spherical abutment'sshaft 505).

[0077] At this point, the permanent abutment 700 can be positionedon-the laboratory analog 400 mounted in dental cast C (FIG. 41). In thisrespect it will be appreciated that when permanent abutment 700 ispositioned on laboratory analog 400, the asymmetrical cross-section ofthe permanent abutment's triangular portion 715 will coordinate with theasymmetrical cross-section of the laboratory analog's triangular bore440 so as to cause permanent abutment 700 to assume exactly the sameorientation on the laboratory analog at this stage in the procedure thatthe combined spherical abutment 500/multiaxis abutment 600 assumedearlier in the procedure (FIG. 39). Once permanent abutment 700 has beenmounted on laboratory analog 400, an appropriate prosthetic tooth CR(FIG. 42) can be fabricated.

[0078] Then prosthetic tooth CR may be test mounted on the permanentabutment 700 mounted on dental cast C (FIG. 43).

[0079] Once the dental practitioner is certain that permanent abutment700 and prosthetic tooth CR are ready to be mounted in the patient,implant fixture 100 (which is positioned in the patient's bone B) isre-exposed, if it is not still exposed (FIG. 44).

[0080] Then permanent abutment 700 is mounted on implant fixture 100(FIG. 45). It will be appreciated that, as this occurs, the triangularcross-section of the permanent abutment's triangular portion 715 (FIG.45), and the triangular cross-section of the implant fixture'striangular bore portion 155, will mate with one another so as to fix theorientation of permanent abutment 700 relative to implant fixture 700.In particular, permanent abutment 700 will assume precisely the sameorientation with respect to implant fixture 100 that permanent abutment700 previously assumed with respect to laboratory analog 400 (compare,for example, FIG. 45 with FIG. 41). At the same time, insertion of thepermanent abutment's shaft 705 (FIG. 45) into the implant fixture'stapered portion 150 will cause permanent abutment 700 to lock itself toimplant fixture 100, due to the “Morse'a taper” established by theimplant fixture's tapered portion 150. If desired, this mechanicalinterlock may also be enhanced by placing a suitable adhesive into theimplant fixture's bore 130 before inserting the permanent abutment'sshaft 705 therein. Alternatively, the “Morse'a taper” may be omittedentirely from implant fixture 100, and only adhesive used to securepermanent abutment 700 to implant fixture 100.

[0081] In any case, once permanent abutment 700 has been secured inimplant fixture 100, prosthetic tooth CR may be secured onto theproximal end of permanent abutment 700 (FIG. 46) using conventionaldental adhesive. This will effectively complete the dental restoration.

[0082] Modifications of the Preferred Embodiments

[0083] Numerous modifications may be made to the preferred embodimentsdiscussed above without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

[0084] For example, permanent abutment 700 need not necessarily be madeby casting from the combined spherical abutment 500/multiaxis abutment600. Rather, permanent abutment 700 can be made by a machining process.More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 47-50, a permanent abutment700 can be formed by machining an abutment blank AB (FIGS. 47 and 48)into the permanent abutment 700. Such machining may be done in numerousways well known to those skilled in the art. By way of example but notlimitation, FIG. 49 shows permanent abutment 700 being formed by anautomated machining process; FIG. 50 shows permanent abutment 700 beingformed by a manual machining process.

[0085] And one might attach prosthetic tooth CR to permanent abutment700 prior to positioning the permanent abutment in implant fixture 100,rather than after positioning in implant fixture 100 as disclosed above.

[0086] By way of further example but not limitation, one might also omitpermanent abutment 700 altogether and simply mount prosthetic tooth CRdirectly to the combined spherical abutment 500/multiaxis abutment 600shown in FIG. 39, assuming that spherical abutment 500 and multiaxisabutment 600 are formed out of appropriate materials and have beensuitably secured relative to one another.

[0087] Furthermore, the opposing surfaces of spherical abutment 500 andmultiaxis abutment 600 may be etched and/or roughened so as tofacilitate retention of material therebetween. In addition, the opposingsurfaces of hex-shaped ball 525 and hex-shaped ball recess 620 may alsobe etched and/or roughened to facilitate retention of adhesivetherebetween.

[0088] Still other modifications may be made to the preferredembodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

[0089] Advantages of the Invention

[0090] Numerous advantages are achieved by the provision and use of thepresent invention.

[0091] For one thing, the present invention provides a novel dentalimplant which avoids the problems associated with the prior art.

[0092] And the present invention provides a novel method for effecting adental restoration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental implant system comprising: an implantfixture adapted to be deployed in a bone; an impression coping adaptedto be selectively deployed on said implant fixture and in a dentalimpression; a laboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed onsaid impression coping and in a dental cast; a spherical abutmentadapted to be selectively deployed on said laboratory analog; and amultiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed on said sphericalabutment.
 2. A dental implant system according to claim 1 wherein saidsystem further comprises a cover screw adapted to be selectivelydeployed in said implant fixture.
 3. A dental implant system accordingto claim 1 wherein said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutmentmay be used to generate a cast permanent abutment which may be receivedby said laboratory analog and said implant fixture.
 4. A dental implantsystem according to claim 3 wherein said cast permanent abutment isadapted to receive a prosthetic tooth.
 5. A dental implant systemaccording to claim 1 wherein said implant fixture comprises alongitudinal bore, and further wherein the wall of said longitudinalbore is configured so as to form a “Morse'a taper”.
 6. A dental implantsystem according to claim 1 wherein said spherical abutment comprises ahex-shaped ball.
 7. A dental implant system according to claim 6 whereinsaid multiaxis abutment comprises a hex-shaped ball recess for receivingsaid hex-shaped ball of said spherical abutment.
 8. A dental implantsystem according to claim 6 wherein said multiaxis abutment comprises adistal end and a proximal end, wherein said hex-shaped ball recess isformed in said distal end of said multiaxis abutment, and furthercomprising a passageway extending between said proximal end and saiddistal end, with said passageway opening on said hex-shaped ball recess.9. A dental implant system according to claim 1 wherein said sphericalabutment and said multiaxis abutment may be used to generate a machinedpermanent abutment which may be received by said laboratory analog andsaid implant fixture.
 10. A dental implant system according to claim 8wherein said machined permanent abutment is adapted to receive a crown.11. A method for effecting a dental restoration, said method comprising:providing a dental implant system comprising: an implant fixture adaptedto be deployed in a bone; an impression coping adapted to be selectivelydeployed on said implant fixture and in a dental impression; alaboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed on said impressioncoping and in a dental cast; a spherical abutment adapted to beselectively deployed on said laboratory analog; and a multiaxis abutmentadapted to be adjustably deployed on said spherical abutment;positioning said implant fixture in said bone; positioning saidimpression coping on said implant fixture; making a dental impression ofsaid impression coping and the surrounding portions of the patient'smouth; removing the dental impression, with said impression copingattached thereto, from the patient's mouth; positioning said laboratoryanalog on said impression coping; making a cast of said laboratoryanalog and a portion of said impression coping; removing the dentalimpression from said impression coping; removing said impression copingfrom said laboratory analog; positioning said spherical abutment in saidlaboratory analog; positioning said multiaxis abutment on said sphericalabutment and angling said multiaxis abutment atop said sphericalabutment to the extent required for the dental restoration; securingsaid multiaxis abutment in its angled position atop said sphericalabutment; generating a permanent abutment from the combined sphericalabutment/multiaxis abutment; positioning said permanent abutment in saidlaboratory analog; generating a prosthetic tooth for said permanentabutment; and removing said permanent abutment from said laboratoryanalog and positioning said permanent abutment on said implant fixture.12. An implant fixture adapted to mate with an impression coping with asingle predetermined orientation.
 13. An implant fixture according toclaim 12 wherein said implant fixture has a bore configured to receivethe impression coping, said implant fixture and the impression copingbeing configured to mate when said implant fixture and the impressioncoping are positioned with said predetermined orientation.
 14. Animplant fixture according to claim 12 wherein said implant fixture has abore, said implant fixture being adapted to mate with a cover screw forsealing said bore.
 15. An implant fixture according to claim 12 whereinsaid implant fixture has flutes for cutting bone.
 16. An implant fixtureaccording to claim 12 wherein said implant fixture has threads forsecuring said implant fixture to bone.
 17. An implant fixture accordingto claim 12 wherein said implant fixture includes a distal end with anexterior taper.
 18. An implant fixture adapted to mate with an abutmentwith a single predetermined orientation.
 19. An implant fixtureaccording to claim 18 wherein said implant fixture has a bore configuredto receive the abutment, said implant fixture and the abutment beingconfigured to mate when said implant fixture and the abutment arepositioned with said predetermined orientation.
 20. An implant fixtureaccording to claim 19 wherein a portion of said bore comprises a“Morse'a taper”.
 21. An implant fixture according to claim 18 whereinsaid abutment comprises a spherical abutment.
 22. An implant fixtureaccording to claim 18 wherein said abutment comprises a permanentabutment.
 23. An impression coping adapted to mate with an implantfixture with a single predetermined orientation.
 24. An impressioncoping according to claim 23 wherein the implant fixture has a boreconfigured to receive said impression coping, the implant fixture andsaid impression coping being configured to mate when the implant fixtureand said impression coping are positioned with said predeterminedorientation.
 25. An impression coping according to claim 23 wherein saidimpression coping is adapted to mate with a laboratory analog with asecond single predetermined orientation.
 26. An impression copingaccording to claim 25 wherein the laboratory analog has a boreconfigured to receive said impression coping, the laboratory analogueand said impression coping being configured to mate when the laboratoryanalog and said impression coping are positioned with said secondpredetermined orientation.
 27. A laboratory analog adapted to mate withan impression coping with a single predetermined orientation.
 28. Alaboratory analog according to claim 27 wherein said laboratory analoghas a bore configured to receive the impression coping, said laboratoryanalog and the impression coping being configured to mate when saidlaboratory analogue and the impression coping are positioned with saidpredetermined orientation.
 29. A laboratory analog according to claim 27wherein said laboratory analog is configured to be incorporated in adental cast.
 30. A laboratory analogue according to claim 27 whereinsaid laboratory analog has a notch for enhancing fixation of saidlaboratory analog in a dental cast.
 31. An abutment adapted to mate withan implant fixture with a single predetermined orientation.
 32. Anabutment according to claim 31 wherein the implant fixture has a boreconfigured to receive said abutment, the implant fixture and saidabutment being configured to mate when the implant fixture and saidabutment are positioned with said predetermined orientation.
 33. Anabutment according to claim 31 wherein said abutment is adapted to matewith a laboratory analog with a second single predetermined orientation.34. An abutment according to claim 33 wherein the laboratory analog hasa bore configured to receive said abutment, the laboratory analog andsaid abutment being configured to mate when the laboratory analog andsaid abutment are positioned with said second predetermined orientation.35. An abutment according to claim 31 wherein said abutment comprises: aspherical abutment, receivable in the implant fixture; and a multiaxisabutment mounted on said spherical abutment.
 36. An abutment accordingto claim 35 wherein one of said spherical abutment and said multiaxisabutment includes a head; and the other of spherical abutment and saidmultiaxis abutment has a socket configured to receive said head.
 37. Anabutment according to claim 36 wherein said head and said socket areconfigured so that said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutmentpivot, but do not rotate, relative to one another.
 38. An abutmentaccording to claim 36 wherein said head defines a hex-shaped ball; andwherein said socket defines a hex-shaped ball recess.
 39. An abutmentaccording to claim 36 wherein one of said spherical abutment and saidmultiaxis abutment has a passage for providing adhesive for fixing saidhead with respect to said socket.
 40. An abutment according to claim 31wherein said abutment is generated according to a modeled abutment. 41.An abutment according to claim 40 wherein said abutment is generated bycasting or milling.